063     Part of an edition of ITV's popular religious programme "Highway" with Sir Harry Secombe and the Chapel Choir - ITV's answer to the BBC's "Songs of Praise".

 

You won't believe how this short clip was made by Tyne Tees!

 

1. I was given a 1st class rail ticket to Wembley Stadium where there was a rehearsal room. There I watched the orchestra record the accompaniment you hear in the video. They didn't rehearse anything, they just read it perfectly first time. Many of these players were principals in the London professional orchestras, earning really good money in this session work. They finished the recording in 30 minutes and I was given a cassette for the choir to rehearse with.
 

2. Back at school, we learnt the arrangement and practised it with the tape so were spot on with tempo and intonation. By now, the girls had memorised the hymn perfectly.

 

3. We were all bussed to Newcastle ITV studio to record the audio - just the audio, The choir sang to the recording I'd been given. Two hours later, we were travelling back to College.

 

4. A few weeks later, 20 guys (plus several women and a caravan) from ITV descended on the Chapel. They put planks on the backs of the pews and rigged cameras and lighting - no microphones. The Choir robed and took their places. I can't remember if they were offered make-up: I'm sure they will know! They mimed against the recording played loudly. Sir Harry emerged from the vestry on cue, miming also, the singers made no sound at all.  If you look really carefully you'll see the lip-sync of several girls less than perfect, but still pretty good. After three hours of retakes, we all had a cup of tea, cleared up and returned to normal. And the caravan? Sir Harry used it for relaxation during "shoots". I'll never watch another OB (outside broadcast) again without remembering the time, man and woman power that it takes, and all for a few minutes of music.